Research firm IDC has posted the numbers for worldwide PC shipments in Q1 of 2013, and they show the steepest decline ever in a single quarter since the company has been monitoring the industry. Global PC shipments during Q1 of 2013 totaled 76.3 million units. That number represents a decline of 13.9% compared to the same quarter in 2011.

The posted decline in Q1 of 2013 was nearly twice the expected decline of 7.7% according to IDC. IDC also notes that the poor showing in Q1 marks the fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year shipment declines for the industry. Computer shipments in the U.S. declined by 12.7% year-over-year and declined 18.3% compared to Q4 2012.

Declining mini notebook shipments took a big chunk out of the low-end market with tablets and smartphones also contributing to divert significant spending from the computer industry. IDC also reports that weak reception for Windows 8 has hurt the industry and computer makers continue to struggle to differentiate themselves from others on the market.

"At this point, unfortunately, it seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market," said Bob O'Donnell, IDC Program Vice President, Clients and Displays. "While some consumers appreciate the new form factors and touch capabilities of Windows 8, the radical changes to the UI, removal of the familiar Start button, and the costs associated with touch have made PCs a less attractive alternative to dedicated tablets and other competitive devices. Microsoft will have to make some very tough decisions moving forward if it wants to help reinvigorate the PC market."

HP is still the top computer vendor but its worldwide shipments fell more than 23% year-over-year. Lenovo remained in second place and came close to closing the gap between it and HP. Lenovo posted double-digit, year-over-year growth in the U.S.

quote: At this point, unfortunately, it seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market

This is the reality of Win8. It's such a tragic, horrific POS that it's killing the traditional desktop/laptop market all by itself. The failure of the Metrosexual UI is complete.

Apple's falling status has nothing to do with Win8. If anything, people who look at Win8 are going to suddenly become significantly more likely to buy an iThing instead. Android is what's been putting the screws to Apple.

Where did I get that? Read the article. Apple's drop in sales is excused while all others are the fault of Windows 8. It's a double standard that doesn't hold up. The desktop computer market is down because people have less to spend, computers are lasting longer, and people are buying mobile devices. It has almost nothing to do with the OS, especially since we see that OSX is dropping as well.

I'm sorry, I gave you the benefit of the doubt on reading comprehension.

Re-read my original comment (slowly?). It is VERY obvious that I talk about the IDC first, you know, the article that is linked to on this page, and then make reference to journalists who parrot their opinions.

quote: The desktop computer market is down because people have less to spend, computers are lasting longer, and people are buying mobile devices. It has almost nothing to do with the OS, especially since we see that OSX is dropping as well.

Exactly, this is all about desktop and laptop hardware lasting much longer than they used to. Ten years ago there were tangible benefits to bi-annual upgrades, even if you didn't use your computer for gaming. Now a computer even for niche gaming purposes lasts much longer, and for the massive "normal" userbase it is even longer.

A 2007 PC is perfectly viable for the majority of users out there, even longer for most businesses, and that's a problem for an industry that previously leaned on people upgrading more frequently.

Regarding WIN8....thats your opinion, but having used it and knowing its true potential... it's just a matter of people opening their minds and making some effort to learn more about it IMO. For instance...did you know you can use WIN8 as a home server OS and pool multiple drives into one single large drive (was part of WHS 1.0) to store your content? Check out We Got Served to learn more about the potential of Win8. I promise it won't hurt you to at least open your mind to the idea.

Most people resist change.... especially when they do not understand the advantages of the change. In time, I believe people will be less afraid of the transition.

Regarding Apple...well that again is your opinion...but I know its not case for everyone. No one in my family uses an Iproduct. All have Android OS phones and are quite satisfied with them. Now it may a case that my family is simply more apt at this than you give everyone credit.

In the end.... everyone will buy what they want...and thats fine with me.

I choose to retain full control over my content and how I get/load my content.

For example, I'm streaming my music through my tablet at work from my own personal cloud (WHS) using Subsonic. I own the content and I retain full control of it. With Apple...Apple has total control over your accounts and CAN cancel your account and delete all your content if they choose....with out recourse. Its in the Terms of Agreement.

Most people who are clueless tend to give up their freedom of choice...willingly IMO.

I don't think my family is all that unique...but maybe we simply like to think outside the parameters Apple wants people to think/feel.

I did. And re-read it, just to make sure. It makes no such reference to Win8 causing a decline in Apple sales.

In fact, the word "Apple" doesn't even exist in the article.

As for my opinion on Win8 - it's clearly the vastly more popular opinion than your's. Win8 is a total clusterf%ck. The Metrosexual UI is a square wheel trying to replace a round wheel. Any nice things that are bonuses in Win8 compared to Win7 are irrelevant in the face of having to deal with that horrifically malformed UI.

Luckily, Start8 et al are available to fix Microsoft's tragically broken OS, making it useful for actual people. Without such utilities, it's a Fisher-Price toy designed for, and by, children.

This is NOT the article. This is dailytech's summary of the article. The article referenced throughout is the IDC's actual report. I'm sorry you were confused, but a little critical thinking is necessary in these comments, I suppose.

No. If Windows 8 had anything to do with Apple, I might...but as it is, and as I noted above, Apple products don't come with Win8. Ergo, people's hatred for Win8 categorically can't be responsible for Apple declines.

In fact, if anything, logic dictates that if people hate Win8 (they do), then they'd look for alternatives. Apple is an alternative to Win8.

Like it has been stated before Microsoft's main mistake with Windows 8 was lack of UI choice for a tradition of leaving the previous interface in the OS to allow people to transition to the Metro interface; it was forced on them with only "Trust us its better" people decided differently and people like me get to wipe Windows 8 off of old ladies laptops in order to put something familiar back on it like Windows 7(True Story).

That being said Windows 8 Tablet is not on my shopping list this year a new iPad for the old lady is. If i ever decided i needed one myself i would sooner go with a Nexus Tablet i believe i am not alone in this opinion. Windows 8 is a total and utter failure.

quote: Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market

...did you actually read this article? Win8 is such a trainwreck, and considered to be a POS by so many people, that it's actually what's causing the massive decrease in computer sales. So go back to suckling at Steve Ballmer's teat. The grown-ups have better things to do than keep babysitting the toddlers who want to play with their Fisher-Price UI.

quote: Most people resist change.... especially when they do not understand the advantages of the change. In time, I believe people will be less afraid of the transition.

Will you people stop with this stupid "can't handle change" shit?! Most of us have Android, iOS and Windows systems in our homes. It has NOTHING to do with Win8 changed UI.

It has to do with BAD UI design for the real world. Metro works great, awesome for a phone. It works pretty good on a tablet (not as great) and its useless for the desktop.

Win8 under the hood is very good... but the problems with the UI, the flow... the changes for the sake of change, the bad design from a major company makes Win8 not worth using. Its UGLY on the normal desktop and its Metro UI.

In the REAL WORLD, Windows8 offers very little to nothing over Windows7. Yes the task manager and copy box are very cool and having the UP button returned for explorer is welecomed... but those things and the $40 upgrade price did NOT make up for the rest of the crap that is Windows8. And with Win8 at its normal $150~200 price... who wants to pay for that?

I've taken Win8 off one our notebooks (my wife's) and stuck on LinuxMint ($0)... she has NO complaints and the damn thing boots up just as fast and shuts down faster.